There is quiet among workers at the Lagos Waste Management Agency (LAWMA), under the leadership of Gbadegesin Muyiwa, over the reported non-implementation of the newly announced N70,000 minimum wage for its employees, as declared by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Despite their essential service status, a significant number of project staff, including waste handlers, supervisors and managers have yet to receive their new salaries, according to some of the victims who spoke with SaharaReporters.
An anonymous staff member, who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity, expressed concerns about the situation, highlighting the excessive workload and poor compensation.
According to the staff, the employees work around the clock, including Sundays, and are struggling due to the naira’s devaluation.
Additionally, it was noted that the N70,000 minimum wage consists of two parts: a basic wage of N35,000 and a federal government support of N35,000.
However, project staff allegedly receive only N10,000 as federal government support, while permanent staff receive N35,000, creating a significant disparity in compensation.
This disparity has been described as unfair discrimination against project staff.
Giving a breakdown of salary, the source said: “Waste handlers: Salary – N35,000, Federal Government wage – N10,000; Supervisors: Salary – N45,000, Federal Government wage – N10,000; Float – N10,000, Running cost – N10,000 (often delayed by 3 months).”
Others are: “Managers: Salary – N45,000, Federal Government wage – N10,000, Float – 10,000, Running cost – N30,000 (also often delayed by 3 months)”
Lamenting the discrepancies, the source said that the agency had not converted any casual staff in the last two to three years now, adding that even the recent attempt, when graduates were asked to submit their documents, nothing had been done yet.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters’ efforts to speak with the spokesperson of the agency, Mrs Folasade Kadiri, were unsuccessful as she didn’t take her calls or respond to a text message inquiry.
